24 Facts About Red Cloud

Red Cloud was a leader of the Oglala Lakota from 1865 to 1909.

Red Cloud was one of the most capable Native American opponents whom the United States Army faced in the western territories.

Red Cloud led the Lakota to victory over the United States during Red Cloud's War, establishing the Lakota as the only nation to defeat the United States on American soil.

Red Cloud was born close to the forks of the Platte River, near the modern-day city of North Platte, Nebraska.

Red Cloud's mother, Walks as She Thinks, was an Oglala Lakota and his father, Lone Man, was a Brule Lakota leader.

Red Cloud brought Red Cloud into the Smoke household when the boy's parents died around 1825.

At a young age, Red Cloud fought against neighboring Pawnee and Crow bands, gaining much war experience.

Red Cloud's War was the name the US Army gave to a series of conflicts fought with Native American Plains tribes in the Wyoming and Montana Territories.

In 1870, Red Cloud visited Washington DC and met with Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ely S Parker, and President Ulysses S Grant.

Red Cloud took his band to the agency, ready to receive government aid.

Red Cloud settled at the agency with his band by the fall of 1873.

Red Cloud soon became embroiled in a controversy with the new Indian agent, Dr John J Saville.

In May 1875, Lakota delegations headed by Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, and Lone Horn traveled to Washington in an attempt to persuade President Grant to honor existing treaties and stem the flow of miners into their lands.

Red Cloud became a leader of the Lakota as they transitioned from the freedom of the plains to the confinement of the reservation system.

Red Cloud continued fighting for his people, even after being forced onto the reservation.

In 1889, Red Cloud opposed a treaty to sell more of the Lakota land.

Red Cloud negotiated strongly with Indian Agents such as Dr Valentine McGillycuddy.

Red Cloud was buried there in a cemetery that now bears his name.

In 1871, the town of Red Cloud was named in his honor.

Red Cloud was the most photographed American Indian of the nineteenth century.

Red Cloud was first photographed in 1872 in Washington DC by Mathew Brady, just before meeting with President Grant.

Red Cloud was among the Indians photographed by Edward S Curtis.

Theodore Sorensen wrote in Kennedy that President John F Kennedy considered naming one of the 41 for Freedom ballistic missile submarines after Red Cloud but bowed to Pentagon concerns that the name could be misinterpreted as being pro-Communist even though Red Cloud was not a Communist, owing to the symbolism of the time using the color red to represent Communism.

Red Cloud's descendants have continued to be chosen as traditional leaders of the Lakota people:.